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small spaces are beautiful… wide open horizons

Whether your small space is a tiny home, inner-city apartment or an unrenovated historic home, those small spaces come with their own set of unique décor challenges. There’s no getting around it, a small space equals a smaller carbon footprint, which is great, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel like you’re living in a cramped closet.

We’ve covered living large in small spaces before, talking downsizing and ways to make your space feel larger. We’re going to add to those with some additional tips and tricks for making any room feel more spacious.

Mirrors and shiny things

We all know this trick, large mirrors reflect the space and create the illusion of a larger room. Very true, but even smaller mirrors and shiny things like a bowl full of glass spheres, can help make your space feel larger. How? It’s still about reflection, but this time we’re talking about light. Mirrors and shiny surfaces will bounce more light around your room, making it feel automatically lighter, brighter and larger.

Plants

Wait, plants? Yes, plants. Go ahead and put that big palm in the corner, fill that windowsill with pots of herbs and hang a big terrarium near your favorite chair. Greenery softens any space and makes it feel more inviting. While it may not make your space feel larger, it will make it feel more welcoming and has the added benefit of acting as a natural air purifier.

Light and Bright

Using lighter, brighter colors is sort of automatic in small spaces, but don’t overlook the use of color – choose a monochromatic palette, and accent with a bright color for an easy look that doesn’t feel cramped. Got rooms that are very open to each other? Create a focal point on the far wall of your adjacent room to draw the eye through the room and create the illusion of more space.

Make sure to light your rooms well, and pull in as much natural light as you can. Nothing says tiny and cramped quite like a dark room, so light it up!

Or Switch to the Dark Side

It may sound counterintuitive, but if you’re brave and it suits your décor, painting your ceiling a dark color like charcoal, navy or even black can create a surprising sense of depth and a “never ending space.”

Keep Small Spaces Simple

Keep your lines clean and simple. From window treatments and accent pieces to throw pillows and furniture, stick with clean, smooth lines and unfussy styles that don’t make your eye stop. A space that feels like it flows visually seems larger and less restricted than one that’s full of tufts and places for the eye to stop and rest.

Go big

Another counterintuitive idea, using a large wall panel for art, or other big pieces can give the illusion of a bigger space. If you don’t have one big piece, create one by grouping matching frames into a large, single display.